Abstract:

Small caliber projectiles, explosively driven fragments and micro-sized (cm3) warheads fabricated from Metastable Interstitial Composite (MIC) reactive materials are emerging as potential payloads for countermeasure systems against Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (RAM) threats. Some MIC composites have demonstrated energy values up to 10 kcal per gram, a level exceeding that of Tri-Nitro Toluene (TNT) by more than a factor of 10. The exploitation of such energies and the ability to apply it to specific military objectives provides opportunities for a new generation of counter RAM and other multi-functional warheads with enhanced lethality and decreased payloads. NEWTEC Services Group, Inc. (NEWTEC) has successfully developed and is actively testing small caliber MIC reactive projectiles and fragments. This capability demonstrates a significant technical and operational achievement in support of next generation miniature munitions and warheads with enhanced terminal effects. Impact velocities range from 1000 to 5,000 fps and consistently demonstrate abilities to deliver multi-gram quantities of reactive material through steel target plates up to 1/2" in thickness. The entrained materials are released upon target penetration and effectively introduce the reactive materials inside a designated target volume. Terminal effects appear scalable and demonstrate both incendiary and thermobaric properties.